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By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia; July 18, 2025 – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has downplayed the significance of the July 17 anti-government protest here, suggesting that some demonstrators are driven less by genuine concern and more by frustration over the government’s crackdown on illegal drug activities.
In his first public response to the protest, President Boakai remarked: “I heard someone say they are protesting because ‘President Boakai can lie.’ No, they are protesting because the government is not giving them a chance to sell drugs.”
The mass protest, dubbed “We the People,” was organized by the Solidarity of Trust for a New Day (STAND) and supported by the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), as well as other opposition political parties and civil society organizations.
The demonstration, which drew thousands of Liberians into the streets of Monrovia on Thursday, July 17, aimed to highlight growing economic hardship and alleged poor governance under the Boakai–Koung administration.
President Boakai voiced concern over the involvement of young people in such protests, linking their participation to Liberia’s persistent battle with drug abuse.
“Let them protest, but in a country that is 178 years old, our young people with talent cannot continue on the path of destroying themselves through drugs. It is the responsibility of the government to prepare them, to train and equip them for productivity,” he said.
Boakai also recalled a campaign-period visit to Ghana, where he met an Indian businessman who had once operated in Liberia. The businessman had since moved his operations to Ghana, building a school and recreational facilities. The President said he has encouraged the investor to return and replicate that holistic model in Liberia.
We need schools, playing pitches, and recreational centers to help rehabilitate and uplift our youth, Boakai added.
The July 17 protest was officially sanctioned by the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police, with a strong security presence across the capital to maintain order.
Organizers say the protest sought to draw the attention of both the government and international partners to the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country.
Among key grievances cited were soaring prices of basic commodities, rampant corruption, stalled development initiatives, and alleged abuse of power by the administration.
By mid-morning on Thursday, thousands had gathered at key locations across Monrovia, including Freeport, Point 4 Junction, and Somalia Drive. The crowds grew steadily throughout the day amid heavy downpours, with demonstrators waving placards, chanting slogans, and calling for government accountability.
At the residence of former CDC National Chairman Mulbah Morlu, who also serves as the lead protest organizer, mobilization efforts began early.
Speaking to reporters, Morlu stated, “Enough is enough. We are tired of hardship, lawlessness, and unfulfilled promises. This protest is peaceful, but it is also resolute.”
Despite the administration’s attempts to minimize the impact of the protest, the turnout underscored the mounting frustration among ordinary Liberians regarding the country’s economic direction and the pace of reform. Editing by Jonathan Browne
